Make allies to ensure your book’s success

Many niche publishers know what they want to write about, but they don’t know where to start their marketing strategy.  One of the best ways to establish your book’s viability in the minds of your readers is by aligning yourself with the companies, charities, groups or clubs they trust.  It’s a lot like the Oprah factor only on a more down-to-earth level.

There are plenty of ways to build these types of alignments.  Think about the people you know and consider if any of them might be able to help.  Then, make a list of the ideal organizations you’d like work with and start sending emails and making phone calls to their movers and shakers.  Don’t be shy.  Explain how your book will benefit these companies, and politely ask for any assistant you can get.  You might even consider asking someone influential within one of these organizations to write your book’s foreword if you really want to butter them up.

Here are just some of the ways your book can benefit from making the right affiliations:

1. Instant credibility. You can slingshot yourself from an unknown writer to a field expert simply by gaining support from the people who control the organizations that your readers trust.  Your potential readers will become more familiar with you and your book the more they see you associated with people they have confidence in within their circles.
2. Free promotion. There are multiple ways you can get some free publicity by aligning your book with the right allies.  Building a link from their Website to yours is one great way to increase your traffic flow.  You can ask to get a story, or review of your book put into organization newsletters or other publications.  You can post or handout fliers.  But perhaps best the most valuable promotion will be the word of mouth that your book will gain.
3. Networking opportunities.  A lot of doors open up when you get the opportunity to rub elbows with the insiders who share an interest in your book.  The more people you meet who share your interest the better.  Who knows who might be just waiting out there to help make your book even more fantastic?
4. Sales opportunities. Large organizations related to the subject of your book are likely to have lots of employees or volunteers who will be interested in purchasing a copy of your book.  Often, organizations themselves will order some copies of any book that mentions them.
5. Event opportunities. Organizations that support your book might also be willing to support or host book signings and other promotional events.  They might also be interested in hosting speaking engagements that would allow you to share your expertise.

Talk to your publishing consultant or contact the publishing consultants at higherlevelpublishing.com to get help finding and contacting the right organizations to aid your book’s success.  Remember that niche publishing is just like anything else in the business world; it’s not always what you know but who you know.